A Two-Story Storehouse in the Private Quarters
The Saikyoji Temple Kancho Storehouse (西教寺灌頂蔵, Saikyōji Kanchōgura) is an early Shōwa earthen-walled storehouse facing south between the Bathhouse and the Naishika Storehouse in the private quarters north of the Shoin at Saikyoji in Sakamoto, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, and it was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on August 28, 2001.
The national record lists a two-story storehouse with a tile roof and a building area of 23 square meters. Kanchō is the name of a Buddhist consecration rite, and the storehouse is named after it, though no public record has been found of what it held. It is registration number 25-0157.
Why the Kancho Storehouse Was Registered
The Saikyoji Temple Kancho Storehouse was registered under the criterion for buildings that serve as a model of design. It has a gabled tile roof with the entrance on the long side, a pair of hinged doors in the middle of the south wall, and a small roof over them to form a covered entry.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs compares it with the Naishika Storehouse just to the east. The Kancho Storehouse has two floors inside and stands taller, and its eaves are treated differently, with a single tier of rafters fully plastered over. Two neighboring storehouses of similar type differing in their details is what the registration recognizes.
What to Look For
The lower walls are clad in vertical boards and the upper walls are white. According to the temple's heritage guide, the hinged doors in the south wall are plastered too.
Seen beside the Naishika Storehouse, the differences in height and eaves are clear: the Kancho Storehouse rises a level higher, and its plastered eaves give a cleaner outline.
Visiting the Kancho Storehouse
The Saikyoji Temple Kancho Storehouse lies in the private quarters used for temple business and the chief abbot's household, and it is not open to the public. It is not confirmed from where in the grounds the exterior can be seen. Opening hours, admission and directions for the temple are on the Saikyoji Temple page.
Q&A
- When was the Saikyoji Temple Kancho Storehouse built and registered?
- It dates from the early Shōwa period and was registered on August 28, 2001, under registration number 25-0157.
- What does the name Saikyoji Temple Kancho Storehouse mean?
- Kanchō is a Buddhist consecration rite. The storehouse is named after it, though no public record of its contents has been found.
- How does the Saikyoji Temple Kancho Storehouse differ from the Naishika Storehouse?
- It has two floors inside, stands taller and has single-tier rafters plastered over at the eaves.
- Where is the Saikyoji Temple Kancho Storehouse?
- In the private quarters north of the Shoin, between the Bathhouse and the Naishika Storehouse, facing south.
- Can I visit the Saikyoji Temple Kancho Storehouse?
- No. It is in the private quarters and not open to the public.
Basic Information
| Name | Saikyoji Temple Kancho Storehouse (西教寺灌頂蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3210 Sakamoto-honmachi, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | 2001 (registered) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen-walled, 2 stories, tile roof, building area 23 m² |
| Owner | Saikyoji Temple |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (in the temple's private quarters) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs): Saikyoji Temple Kancho Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00002281
- Saikyoji Cultural Heritage Guide: 灌頂蔵 (Japanese)
- https://saikyojiguide.jp/contents/content15/
- Saikyoji Cultural Heritage Guide: Precinct Map (Japanese)
- https://saikyojiguide.jp/map/
Last verified: 2026.10.06
